The Good Seed

Articles

The Temple Institute and the Movement for the Renewal of the Holy Temple, organizations which are actively preparing for the rebuilding of the Jewish Temple, have performed an 'educational' sacrifice of two live goats to commemorate the Feast of Passover (Pesach).

A presentation on the Passover was held in a synagogue just north of the Old City and Temple Mount, in the Shmuel HaNavi neighbourhood. The animals were slaughtered in an adjacent basketball court, where their blood was sprinkled over a hastily prepared altar. After the animals were ritually slaughtered, they were skinned, and the parts that were to be roasted in the fire were paraded around for all to see. The organizers stressed that this slaughter was for 'educational' purposes only and should not be considered an actual Passover sacrifice, which must be carried out on the Temple Mount itself. But many observant Jews hope that this public demonstration could one day become reality when the Temple is rebuilt and the sacrificial system is reinstated.

Quote:"The organizers, the Movement for the Renewal of the Holy Temple and The Temple Institute (special thanks to Hillel Weiss who was very helpful to this reporter) are comprised of hard core believers in the principle of “acting as if” – or, if you will, attempting to do the maximum on our part in adhering to the commandments which are connected to the sacred labors of the holy Temple, gone now some 1942 years, so that up in Heaven a complementary response would usher in the Messiah and bring about the rebuilding of the actual holy Temple.

Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, one of the leaders of the Temple Institute in Jerusalem, has stated that everything is now ready for recommencement of the sacrificial system. All that remains is for the government of Israel to give them the permission to go onto the Temple Mount and perform the sacrifice. While Israel does control the Temple Mount, it is administered by the Islamic Waqf of Jordan, and the Israeli Police generally prohibit any action that might cause contention with the Muslims.

Quote: "Rav Ariel calls upon the Chief Rabbis to demand the opening of the gates of the Temple Mount on Friday, the day of the Pesach Seder. "They should make a formal request to the government of Israel, to open the gates of the Temple Mount so we can bring our offerings. Everything is ready – there are clothes for the Priests, an altar and vessels – all they need to do is open. We have asked the Chief Rabbis several times but have received no answer until now," he said.

The prophecy of Daniel does seem to indicate that the sacrificial system will recommence for a short period prior to the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. According to Daniel 9:27 a future world leader, known in Biblical prophecy as the Antichrist, will strengthen a covenant between Israel and the surrounding nations that will permit them to rebuild the Jewish Temple and recommence the sacrificial system. But just three and a half years into this seven year agreement, the Antichrist will turn his back on the Jewish people. The sacrifices will stop (Daniel 11:31), east Jerusalem and the Temple Mount will be handed over to the Gentiles (Revelation 11:2), and the period of time known as Jacob's Trouble will begin (Jeremiah 30:7, Deuteronomy 4:30). As we have seen over the past few years, preparations are well underway for the rebuilding of the Temple. Some of the blueprints have been published, the foundation of the sacrificial altar has been made, many of the vessels to be used in the service of the Temple have been reconstructed, and the garments of the priests and high priest have been manufactured. The status of Jerusalem has become a "burdensome stone for all people" just like the Bible said it would (Zechariah 12:2-3). Our news is dominated by events in the Middle East, and in particular, those relating to the Middle East peace process and Jerusalem. The time is short. Jesus Christ is coming back again soon.

Praise God that those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ have something much greater to hold on to than those who performed this passover 'sacrifice' in Jerusalem last week. Yes, Israel was freed from Egyptian bondage by the blood of the lamb. That was miraculous. But those that have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation have been freed from a much greater bondage than slavery. We have been freed from the bondage of sin. The Bible tells us that the old covenant sacrificial system could never take away sin completely. That is why the same sacrifices had to be made over and over again (Hebrews 10:11). But we have a much greater sacrifice, one that was not made with the blood of bulls and goats, but with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:12). And the Bible says that after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, He sat down on the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12). Do you know your sins forgiven? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Turn away from your sins and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Isaiah 53:10-11Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.